Stairlift, Ramp or Home Elevator Alternatives

Having a disability or injury that keeps you from getting around comfortably is difficult enough, but it can be even more difficult if you have steps or stairs in your home. With technological advances in mobility scooters and power wheelchairs, moving about inside or outside the house has become much easier for those who've lost their mobile freedom - but what if your home has multiple floors?

This is becoming an ever increasing problem as Americans and the world alike begin to age. Homes have gotten larger and two story buildings have become common. Handicapped people have become prisoners in their own home, trapped downstairs without relying on help from a family member to get up and down the stairs. Fortunately, there are alternatives.

If your home has just a few steps, or just a step up or down, you might be able to cover or convert the incline with the help of a ramp. There are guidelines on the ideal angle of slope, for safety and comfort reasons, but in most cases this can be accommodated easily. It's much easier to get a scooter or wheelchair across a ramp than up or down a step.

If your home has a flight of stairs, your options become more limited. The two most popular methods of solving this problem include installing a home elevator or a stair lift. Elevators can be pricey, and you'll need to have the room to have it installed. This can be a great alternative to having to get in and out of a wheelchair and being carried or crawling up steps.

Another alternative is installing a stair lift. Essentially, this is a chair mounted on a railing besides your home's staircase. Simply sit down, push a button and you'll be carried along a rail right up or down the stairs. This is a space saving method of getting the job done and can be done with minimal construction time and costs.

In most cases, I'd recommend installing a chair stairlift whenever possible, for both the financial and space saving reasons. Whichever method you choose, rest assured there are ways to reclaim your lost independence. Having a physical disability or handicap will no longer leave you prisoner in your own home. Reclaiming your personal freedom and reducing the need to rely on others to get around will improve your quality of life and make your time much more enjoyable.